Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and European Commission replies published between Monday 22 and Sunday 28 December 2025. Key policy areas under scrutiny include the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) against major e-commerce platforms, the implementation of the Political Advertising Regulation, and the ongoing debate surrounding the Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) proposal’s impact on encryption. Further topics include data protection safeguards within the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet, the strategic importance of the Critical Raw Materials Act for the digital transition, and emerging questions on the digital euro and data centre sustainability. The Commission’s responses consistently frame its actions as balancing fundamental rights, ensuring the effective implementation of new legislation, and protecting the EU’s strategic interests. These developments provide crucial insights for digital policy professionals into the EU’s shift from legislative drafting to the practical challenges of enforcement, stakeholder management, and operationalisation of its digital rulebook.
DSA & Platform Accountability
❗ Commission Confirms Ongoing DSA Investigations into Temu, AliExpress, and Shein
In a reply dated 22 December 2025, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen confirmed that the Commission is conducting ongoing investigations into Temu and AliExpress under the Digital Services Act (DSA). As detailed in the response to P-004389/2025, preliminary findings have been sent to both platforms concerning risk mitigation and the dissemination of illegal products. The Commission also sent a request for information to Shein on 26 November 2025 regarding its measures to protect minors and prevent the circulation of illegal products. The reply underscores the Commission’s power to request a temporary restriction of a service in extreme cases of persistent infringement causing serious harm.
❗ Commission Defends CSAM Proposal, Stresses Proportionality of Detection Orders
Responding to concerns about the proposal to prevent and combat child sexual abuse, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen stated on 23 December 2025 that the regulation strives to achieve a fair balance between all fundamental rights, including privacy and the rights of the child. The answer to E-003993/2025 frames detection orders as a measure of “last resort,” targeted and issued by a judicial or independent authority. The Commission asserts that the proposal does not require specific service providers to withdraw from the EU and that it recognizes the important role of encryption in securing communications.
❗ Commission Outlines Implementation Support for Political Advertising Regulation
In a 23 December 2025 response, Commissioner McGrath clarified that the Political Advertising Regulation does not ban political ads but establishes common transparency standards. The reply to P-004182/2025 details the Commission’s support for implementation, including published guidelines, a Network of contact points for Member State cooperation, and a forthcoming stakeholder Expert Group. The Commission notes it is aware of platforms’ commercial decisions to discontinue political advertising services and is engaging with stakeholders to monitor the regulation’s application.
❓ MEPs Raise Media Freedom Act Concerns Over Italian Media Sale
In a priority question submitted on 16 December 2025, MEPs Pasquale Tridico and Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left) raised concerns about the proposed sale of major Italian newspapers from the GEDI Group. The question, P-004964/2025, asks the Commission whether such a sale would comply with the European Media Freedom Act’s principles on ownership transparency and editorial independence, and what tools the Commission will use to protect journalistic freedom from interference. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Details Data Protection Safeguards in EUDI Wallets and GDPR Amendments
Executive Vice-President Virkkunen, in a reply on 23 December 2025, outlined the data protection measures embedded in the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet framework. The response to P-004565/2025 explains that the technical infrastructure is designed for data minimisation and that relying parties must register and declare their intended use of data. The Commission also clarified that its proposed amendments to the GDPR are well-targeted to simplify its application for specific purposes like scientific research and do not alter the regulation’s fundamental principles or affect specific rules in other EU laws.
❓ Commission Questioned on Data Centre Sustainability and Greenwashing
MEP Nicolás González Casares (S&D) submitted a question on 12 December 2025 regarding the transparency of sustainability claims for tech companies’ data centres. E-004928/2025 asks the Commission about alleged industry pressure to weaken disclosure rules on power emissions and how it will ensure independent verification to prevent greenwashing. The MEP also inquires about potential new transparency obligations in the Commission’s 2026 work programme. A response is pending.
❓ MEPs Probe Risks and Safeguards of the Digital Euro
In a question submitted on 28 November 2025, MEP Galato Alexandraki (ECR) raised concerns about the development of the digital euro. E-004730/2025 asks the Commission what measures will ensure access for vulnerable groups, guarantee the long-term use of physical cash, and mitigate risks of destabilising bank deposits. The question seeks clarity on the safeguards being considered to protect local banks and the financing of the real economy. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Affirms Safeguards in Horizon Europe to Protect EU Strategic Interests
On 22 December 2025, Commissioner Zaharieva addressed questions regarding Horizon Europe funding for entities in Türkiye. The reply to E-004125/2025 clarifies that associated countries like Türkiye contribute financially to the programme. More importantly, the Commission stressed that Horizon Europe contains safeguards to protect the EU’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy, and security, including the power to object to the transfer of ownership of results if it is not in line with EU interests.
❗ Commission Clarifies ‘Overriding Public Interest’ for Critical Raw Materials Projects
Executive Vice-President Séjourné explained on 23 December 2025 how the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) supports projects essential for the EU’s digital and clean transitions. The response to E-003833/2025 states that strategic projects under the CRMA can be considered of ‘overriding public interest,’ potentially allowing their authorisation despite adverse environmental impacts, subject to a case-by-case assessment by national authorities. The Commission announced it will issue guidance on environmental permitting in 2026 to facilitate implementation.
❓ MEPs Challenge Legal Basis for a European Startup Regulation
A question from MEP Piotr Müller (ECR) on 12 December 2025 challenges the Commission’s announced plan for a uniform European regime for startups in the form of a regulation. E-004922/2025 raises concerns about respecting Member State competences in company, employment, and tax law, asking for the specific Treaty basis for the initiative and whether a directive would be a more appropriate legal form. A response is pending.
❓ Commission Probed on Standardising Charging Plugs for E-bikes and Light Transport
MEP Martin Günther (The Left) asked the Commission on 11 December 2025 about the lack of a common charging standard for electric bicycles and light means of transport (LMT). The question, E-004909/2025, argues that this fragmentation creates e-waste and hinders the development of public charging infrastructure, and asks if the Commission will introduce mandatory standardisation via existing regulations. A response is pending.
❗ Commission Clarifies Data Collection on Youth Violence is a Member State Competence
In a reply on 22 December 2025, Commissioner Dombrovskis stated that the Commission does not maintain a centralised record of specific crimes like knife attacks in schools, as data collection on such matters falls primarily under Member State jurisdiction. The answer to E-003963/2025 notes that the Commission supports prevention efforts by facilitating the exchange of experiences among Member States through platforms like the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation and the EU Internet Forum.
❗ Commission Highlights Efforts to Improve Migration Data Granularity
Responding on 22 December 2025, Commissioner Brunner acknowledged the need for reliable data to support evidence-based migration policies. The reply to E-003700/2025 explains that while Eurostat provides harmonised data, general surveys are not designed to capture detailed migration motives. The Commission is exploring avenues to enhance data granularity, pointing to targeted surveys by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights as a means to supplement existing information.
❓ MEPs Question Commission on Hungary’s National Terrorism List
MEP Martin Schirdewan (The Left) submitted a question on 9 December 2025 concerning a Hungarian decree that lists ‘Antifa’ as a terrorist organisation. E-004872/2025 asks the Commission if this classification meets EU legal criteria, whether it violates the presumption of innocence, and if there is any related exchange of personal data of EU citizens with the US Government. A response is pending.
❓ MEPs Raise Sovereignty Concerns Over ‘Military Schengen’ Initiative
A group of MEPs submitted a question on 11 December 2025 expressing concern over the ‘Military Schengen’ initiative. E-004916/2025 asks how Member States would retain control over foreign forces on their soil and raises questions about cybersecurity risks from a shared digital platform and the potential erosion of national decision-making in defence. A response is pending.
The Commission’s replies in late 2025 suggest a clear institutional pivot from legislative development to the practicalities of implementation and enforcement. The detailed updates on DSA investigations (P-004389/2025) and the establishment of support structures for the Political Advertising Regulation (P-004182/2025) indicate a focus on operationalising the EU’s new digital rulebook. In its communications, the Commission consistently positions itself as an active supervisor using its full range of tools, from formal investigations to stakeholder dialogues, to ensure compliance.
A cross-cutting theme is the Commission’s effort to frame its policies as a careful balancing act between competing fundamental rights and policy objectives. This is evident in its defense of the CSAM proposal (E-003993/2025), where it portrays controversial detection orders as proportionate and judicially-overseen measures of last resort, seeking to reconcile privacy with child protection. Similarly, the explanation of the EUDI Wallet (P-004565/2025) emphasizes built-in data minimisation safeguards, presenting digital identity as fully compatible with core data protection principles.
Finally, the narrative of strategic autonomy underpins several responses. The Commission’s clarification on Horizon Europe funding (E-004125/2025) highlights legal safeguards to protect the EU’s strategic assets and interests in international research. This is complemented by the justification for the Critical Raw Materials Act’s ‘overriding public interest’ clause (E-003833/2025), which explicitly links environmental permitting to the security of supply for the EU’s digital and green transitions. Taken together, these replies reveal an executive branch focused on demonstrating the coherence and enforceability of its digital agenda, while navigating complex legal and geopolitical challenges.
